The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-09-22

no"h grass SPu ION purpose J h
their lives, but lave always made wal
upon it, viii lay Inside prejudice and ap
, prehension of fal lure and start meadow
and pasture, itonly q few acres. In
sections where tic culture Of grass has
species discoRered, large operations
should not beattempted. In such cases
o fow acres, we'll prepared and fertilized
will be more likely to succeed, and the
loss will be com pparativoy small if failure
results. But why should failure to get
a good start the first time deter the
farmer from trying again? In countries
where grass culture is the very basis of
oil agriculture, it is no uncommon thing
for farmer to fail Of o "catch" of
clover or gfass But knowing from
previous experience that the natural and
permanent conditions are adapted to
grass, snch OCCASIONAL failures do not
courage him, much less prove that "this
Is not grass country" Not at ell, He
rightly lays tho blame on himself, or
finds that the seed were not good, or
the temporary weather conditions we're
not favorable, and he simply renews his
effort. We all know that even in the
case of our ordinary crops, corn, cotton,
ETC., our first and chief anxiety at plant
lng-time, and thereafter, is in regard to
securing and preserving the "stand."
If we plant field in corn and fail from
any cause to get q reasonably good
stand, we Immediately plow up and plant
over, or "replant" with hoes. We know
from long experience that corn, cotton,
peas, potatoes, etc., are perfectly adapt
ed to Our soil and climate, and an occa-
slonal failure to secure u stand does not
raise doubt. The some is true as to
grasses in tho North and West. In those
sections of the South where grass culture
has received little or no attention it is
not at all surprising that failure often
results from first attempts. Every farm
er ought to try few acres first, uDd per-
sist i'll the experiment until satisfied in
regard to the policy and eXpediency of
engaging more largely in grass hus-
bandry. The dairy and stock growing
industry are based on grass and forage
crops, and we confidently believe that
the redemption of Southern agriculture
depends largely upon the adoption Of a
system TINT embraces both
There is no question rs to tho value
OF barley and rye wbcu sown and treated
us winter grasses. Barley is better than
rye every way, excepting its demand for
o rich soil in order to give satisfactory
results.
OATS
In order to escape danger of win!cr-
killing, oats should be sown early in the
fall. Throughout the northern par5 of
the cotton belt September is the best
month. South Of the middle line, Octo-
Der md November sOwings will answer.
Ihc idea IL TO got n strong root develop
m@nt before cold weather sets in, giving
the plants firm hold on She soil. Not
wlthstandlng somewhat diScouraging
failures Of late years. we still think H.
good policy 10 sow large area in The
fail. If killed by cold the seed sown
Will be the principal loss, as the land
may be re-seeded in January or Februa-
ry, or can be planted in other crops in
the spring. The old organizing oat
should be brought again into cultivation.
Ii has often proven good practice to
sow oats III the present cotton fields.
Ihls may be done without serious injury
to the cotton, plowing i'll with cult!va-
tor, harrow or sweep, just as il cultivat-
ing the cotton, the operation to be pro.
cedcd by the cotton-pickers if there is
any open open cotton. On our own
farm we have bad fine results from this
plan. The standing cotton stalks cal he
easily "knOckCd down" cold mornings
in January or February, and prove small
obstacles in the way of harvesting.
HAY.
The seasons at this writing indicate O.
good crop of native grasses which may
be converted into hay of tho best quail
ty, If cut before the seeds form, and
nicely cured. Whcro rains have been
abundant throughout July and August,
this resource may often be made to ex-
ceed in value all the fodder (corn. blades)
saved from the corn crop, and ut com
paratively nominal cost Of labor.
PORK HOGS.
We have often stressed the importance
Of constant attention to hogs. From
now ON is the time to push the fattening
process. The weather is now mild, and
but little food is necessary to keep up
the animal heat and clrry on the vital
processes in the anim&l economy. After
o while when the weather grows cooler,
and especially in November and Decem-
Der, o very large part of tho food con-
sumed by animals will be utilized Tor
the purpose of keeping tho body warm.
an car OF corn, or its equivalent of other
1nod, fed during the pleasant fall weather
Will go further than two ears fed in De-
cember or January.
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